Strictly’s Les Dennis reveals the real reason he said yes to 2023 series

Virgin Radio

16 Sep 2023, 11:17

Dancing shoes at the ready! Strictly starts tonight (16th September) on BBC One.

Les Dennis has revealed the real reason why he is taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2023.

The 69-year-old will be competing against Amanda Abbington, Angela Rippon, Layton Williams, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Eddie Kadi, Angela Scanlon, Zara McDermott, Adam Thomas, Nikita Kanda, Ellie Leach, Jody Cundy, Bobby Brazier, Nigel Harman, and Annabel Croft.

Speaking to virginradio.co.uk and other press, Dennis said: “I didn't ask to be on it. I got asked to be on it and I thought, ‘Yeah, why not?’.

"It's my 70th birthday in October. Angela Rippon and I have the same birthday, 12th October, which is incredible.

"So I thought, you know, I love a challenge, I’ve recently done opera and the RSC, so Strictly is going to add to that, something outside my comfort zone.”

The TV presenter, best known for hosting Family Fortunes between 1987 and 2002, shared that he is “so excited” for the competition to begin.

“At the beginning, [I] was nervous and excited," he explained. "But now we've got here, [I feel] pure excitement.

"[I’m] loving it, loving being a part of the Strictly family already.”

Ahead of the first live show tonight, Dennis revealed what he was most nervous about: “Just getting it right and making sure that you look like you're having fun, not looking tense.

"There's a lot to think about, but you know, it's live telly, you've got to go for it, you’ve just got to let it happen.

"I recently was in HMS Pinafore and had the full regalia, so I'm not afraid of the loud costumes,” he added. “They make sure it's right for you. They're very sensitive.”

Dennis also shared his goals for the competition: “I want to get to movie week because I love movies.

"I love the film The Godfather. He does his dance with his daughter at the beginning.”

Joking about the fame that comes with starring on Strictly, the comedian added: “When people come up and ask for a selfie, it's usually the mum and the dad and the kids are looking like, ‘Who is it? What's going on?’

"Now it'll be, ‘We know who it is!’” 

Strictly Come Dancing will begin at 6.35pm on Saturday 16th September on BBC One.